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I take stock of how thatone way or the other It’s the absolute truth There was a ti to each other, and then eren’t Rafewith a foolhardy nature that he kneas best for me

“We’re just friends now,” I hasten to reassure her

“I think you’re more than that,” she replies with so ical powers to see the future or soue with her, but before I can, she continues on “People iveness Others don’t That’s up to you to decide Regardless, I think it’s remarkable that you can put that aside and be here for Rafe You’re the best type of friend a person could have”

And just like that, Gray is pulled off into another conversation, and Iwith Zack and his wife, Kate, butabout Gray’s words, trying to figure out if it ise advice that I should listen to, or just chalk it up to her being a nosy busybody

Except I have a pretty solid feeling that no one in their entire life has ever thought of or called Gray Brannon a busybodyChapter 11RafeMy phone vibrates incall I consider ignoring it, but I’ I can’t step away froil over rocery store

I left for Boston five days ago to play games three and four of the second round of the playoffs We swept them easily, and while it was an excellent respite to be lost in the thrill of playoff co back here in Raleigh

Sure enough, when I returned late last night, I found that my father had taken a nosedive I knew this could happen

Would happen at some point

Calliope and her medical expertise have been invaluable to me I’m one of those people who always does better if I know the full, cold, hard painful truth of things I can deal as long as I knohat I’ with, and she hasn’t held back on how bad it can be

And yet, when I sawroo a million times frailer than when I left less than a week before, I knew everything had changed

I knew ames, and we’d be lucky if he could take meals at the kitchen table with us I knew that ame days and with travel I realized there’s a very real chance that I one when he takes his last breath, and I’ure out how to reconcile that

I snap , but I could use a break My dad’s been sleeping deeply, aided by a few drops of o He refuses to ask for it, but I can tell by his shifting and grie hiht to put ently lift it froive him the medicine

I snaga break fro down on me at all times lately The only respite from them is when I’m deep inside Calliope, but those ti time with my dad

Not even glancing at the screen to see who it is—because, at this point, it could be a telehts—I answer “Hello?”

“Just checking in, dude” It’s Aaron Wylde He’s been in contact with me nearly every day since I left Phoenix, either by call, text, or email

“How are you doing?” he asks lightly I appreciate the tone because he kno bad it can get, and he doesn’t want to bring ht off the bat

“I’ up from the chair next to my dad’s bed I doubt he’ll wake up, but I decide to ht disturb his sleep I think it’s the only tiht now